communications
The North East is part of the main national communications network provided by BT and Mercury Communications, the two main national providers in the UK.
The region is served by the most sophisticated communications systems currently available including satellite linkages for voice and data transfer throughout the world.
More than £100 million has been invested in the North East's telecommunications infrastructure in recent years. This has included the provision of more than 70 digital local extensions and the laying of thousands of miles of fibre optic cables, along with the establishment of a microwave radio system.
In addition, the country's first teleport outside London is based in Sunderland, which will halve telecommunication costs for businesses and education in the region.
The facility is available to third party users. Linked to three satellites, costing more than 400 million, the teleport covers 90 per cent of the world, 24-hours a day.
